Take control—and put the built-in security and privacy features in Microsoft Office to work! Whether downloading documents, publishing a presentation, or collaborating online—this guide offers concise, how-to guidance and best practices to help protect your documents and your ideas.

• Get practical, proactive guidance for using the security and privacy management features in Office 2010 and Office 365

• Walk through everyday scenarios, and discover everyday techniques that help you take charge

• Understand common risks and learn best practices you can apply right away

Monday, March 19, 2012

The Start button takes you to Start Screen and lets you toggle between open apps

Alt-Tab cycles through apps in sequence, as usual

Arrow keys allow you to move through the Start screen

First, to open the charms menu, point to the upper-right or lower-right corner. When the charms appear, click the one you want. Using your keyboard, use the Windows logo + C key combination.

Windows + F brings up the Search screen, though simply typing (when on the Start screen) is more convenient

Windows + Z in a full screen app brings up the contextual menus

Windows + D takes you to the desktop

Windows + L locks the PC, invoking the lock screen

Windows + P pulls up multi-monitor settings

Windows + I brings up the Settings charm

Windows + E invokes Windows Explorer, as ever

Windows + R brings up the Run prompt

Windows + Y makes all your open windows (and the Metro UI) transparent, so you can see the desktop beneath

Windows + X shows Windows Mobility Center, which appears to serve much the same role as the Settings charm but on the desktop instead

The Scroll wheel pans across Start screen, slowly

Right-click brings up contextual menus in a full screen app

Left-click on the Start screen brings up options to unpin, resize and uninstall apps

Ctrl-Alt-Delete summons a screen with options to shut down, switch users, log off or quickly open the Task Manager

If you want to get to your file commands, like Save & Edit for example, in the app you are using, right-click anywhere there is open space (not on text or any images), and the command bar will appear from below. On the Start screen, you can right-click a tile to also see command options for that tile. Using the Windows logo key + Z combination will also get you there.

To switch to your most recently used app, point to the upper-left corner. When the app preview appears, click it. To switch to a different open app, point to the upper-left corner again and then pull it down slightly. When the app preview list appears, click the one you want. The usual Alt+Tab key combination will also allow you to switch apps.

To Snap an app to use two apps side by side, Point to the upper-left corner. When the app preview appears, drag it to snap the app to either side of the screen. You can also right-click the preview and select the app you want to snap. Pressing the Windows logo key + Period key in succession will snap the current app.

If you want to see the familiar desktop view, go to the Start screen, and then click the Desktop tile. Using the Windows key + D keyboard shortcut will also do the trick.

To zoom in or out, on the Start screen , use the Summary view icon in the lower-right corner or you can use Ctrl+Scroll wheel. The Ctrl+Plus sign to zoom out and Ctrl+Minus sign to zoom in keyboard shortcuts will work for you as well.

Here’s how you close an app. Point to the upper-left corner. When the thumbnail appears, drag it to the bottom of the screen. You can also use the keyboard shortcut Alt + F4 to close the app.

And finally, to shut down your computer, open the Charms menu, and then click Settings. Click Power, and then select a shutdown option. Using your keyboard, press Ctrl+Alt+Del. Tab to the Power icon. And list of shutdown options now appears. Use the arrow keys to get to the option you want. And then press Enter.

Thursday, March 15, 2012

With Window XP coming to an end of life here is a site that will teach you how to easily how to do this. You will get a comprehensive, step-by-step guide to the Windows 7 deployment process, from application compatibility testing and volume activation to image creation and data migration. Here are the modules and what they cover

Windows 7 Deployment Methods and Technologies

This module covers the different methods available for deploying Windows 7. After completing this module you will have covered how to choose a deployment strategy, the licensing options, and the tools that can be used to plan a deployment process.

Prepare the Environment for a Windows 7

This module covers the tasks that have to be performed to prepare an environment for Windows 7 deployment. After completing this module you have an understanding of what is required before using Windows Deployment Services (WDS), the Application Compatibility Toolkit (ACT), Multicast deployments, Volume activation, Windows Automated Installation Kit and Zero-touch deployments.

Create a Windows 7 Image

This module covers the core deployment task of creating Windows 7 images. After completing this module you will have an understanding of how to build standard images, how to prepare a reference machine for capture, capturing the image and then applying it to other computers. Finally the module will cover the tools that you will use during the creation process; SYSPREP, ImageX, PnPUtil and how to then work with the images these tools help create.

Update a Windows 7 Image

After completing this module you will have an understanding of how to use Deployment Image Servicing and Management (DISM) to update an existing Windows 7 Image. The module will cover servicing offline strategies and how to do service them

Deploy a Windows 7 Image

This module looks at the various methods for deploying a Windows 7 image. There are a number of methods for deploying Windows 7 in various scenarios, after completing this module you will have an understanding of how to deploy manually, using an unattended deployment method, using the Windows Automated Installation Kit and using WDS.

Migrate Computers to Windows 7

In this module you will learn about how to migrate existing computers to Windows 7. Moving existing settings, files and application to new installations is key deployment task, this module covers the tools available to extract and migrate these settings and deploy them on new machines. Finally this module covers how to use these tools to do this in high volume deployments.

Configure and Manage Application Compatibly

When deploying a new desktop OS knowing that the applications your organization uses will work on the new system is a critical task. The module covers the aspects of application compatibility, starting with getting an inventory of what applications are running in your organization. Once you understand what is running you can analyze the applications and use the tools to ensure these applications run under Windows 7. There are a number of tools available to help; this module covers the Application Compatibility Toolkit, MED-V, Virtual PC and Windows XP Mode. After completing this module you will understand these tools, how and when to use them.

Light Touch Installation using Windows Deployment services

After completing this module you will have an understanding of how to use Windows Deployment Services (WDS) as a deployment tool. The module covers getting started with WDS and step-by-step information on using WDS.

Deploy using System Center Configuration Manager

This module covers using System Center Configuration Manager (SCCM) to deploy Windows 7. After completing this module you will have an understanding of zero touch deployment of Windows 7 using both SCCM and the Microsoft Deployment Toolkit, how to create distribution points, use multicast to deploy the bits to computers, task sequencing and finally using SCCM for software updates.

Create and Manage Windows PE Environment

This module provides a comprehensive view of the Windows PE environment. During the module you will learn about how to create a PE environment using the Oscdimg command, booting computers from a Windows PE bootable image. Because all deployment environments are different, the module will cover how to customize the PE environment by loading drivers and applications into the image. Finally the module will cover the Windows Recovery Environment, what it is and how it works.

Manage Deployments with Microsoft Deployment Toolkit

This module covers the use of the Microsoft Deployment toolkit for deploying Windows 7. After completing this module you will have an understanding of how to use the toolkit to build the deployment environment, including building Images, using the deployment workbench and migrating from Windows XP.

IE 9

The Microsoft Virtual Academy: Deploying Windows 7 is the place to learn all of this

Microsoft SQL Server 2012 enables a cloud-ready information platform that will help organizations unlock breakthrough insights across the organization as well as quickly build solutions and extend data across on-premises and public cloud backed by capabilities for mission critical confidence.

Deliver required uptime and data protection with AlwaysOn

Gain breakthrough & predictable performance with ColumnStore Index

Help enable security and compliance with new User-defined Roles and Default Schema for Groups

Enable rapid data discovery for deeper insights across the organization with ColumnStore Index

Ensure more credible, consistent data with SSIS improvements, a Master Data Services add-in for Excel, and new Data Quality Services

Optimize IT and developer productivity across server and cloud with Data-tier Application Component (DAC) parity with SQL Azure and SQL Server Data Tools for a unified dev experience across database, BI, and cloud functions

I also found a virtual lab that you can use to learn more, you will be better able to introduce project connection managers, introduce parameters, create an SSIS Catalog, deploy an Integration Services project to the SSIS Catalog, execute packages from the SSIS Catalog, script package execution commands, and monitor the Integration Services environment and package executions.

A private cloud delivers fundamentally new capabilities that represent a generational paradigm shift in computing.

By pooling resources across the datacenter and the enterprise and offering an elastic and usage-based self-service model, a private cloud solution simplifies deployment, maintenance, and cost, while increasing agility and power.

And this paradigm shift in computing means a paradigm shift in the skills IT professionals will need to configure, deploy, monitor, and operate private cloud solutions of today—and tomorrow. The increased capacity and capability of Private Cloud solutions means that IT Professionals and Developers will need to have a new and broader set of skills.

These means there are opportunities for you to learn and deliver solution to your customers and companies today !

Microsoft Learning is addressing this need for new skills by ensuring it offers training and certifications that enable IT Pros and Developers to develop and validate their skill sets across this new range of skills with a focus on specific technology solutions. One example of this effort is the recently announced private cloud certification.

Available as a Beta release in April, the certification starts with the foundation of current Windows Server 2008 exams, and adds two new System Center 2012 exams, currently in beta. Get started today by heading over to the Microsoft Private Cloud Certification Overview page. That’s where you can prepare and practice for the certification, sign up for our upcoming Private Cloud Jump Start course, and get a head start on your private cloud certification by starting your MCITP Server Administrator certification.

The traditional datacenter model is changing rapidly—and Microsoft Certification continues to change with it, to help you keep your skills relevant in the new world of the private cloud.

Thursday, March 1, 2012

Windows XP SP3 and Office 2003

Support Ends April 8, 2014

So what can you do now? If you are a home user or have a small business here is some simple steps to follow.

1st look at you business applications and se if they will run on Windows 7 or Vista. If the app works on Vista should work on windows 7.

Then look at your hardware is there driver(s) for Windows 7. Your can use the Windows upgrade advisor to learn about your computer and understand what hardware and software will be issues.

When you use the upgrade advisor do your self a favor and connect ALL you devices to the computer 1st then run the advisor..

If your hardware is good to go and you have your software original disk, then BACKUP you computer and verify it a good copy. As when you install Windows 7 you will be formatting your hard drive and will loose all your data, a idea I tell user to do is to buy a new hard drive and put the new operating system on that, that way you can test and verify that the hardware and all your device work. Then if you buy Windows 7 Profession or higher you can use XP more for application that will only work in XP and not on windows 7 …

If the Hardware is old and you do not want to buy a new computer, and your computer can run Windows 7 switching out the hard drive is a good idea anyway as that is the the one of the 2 items that fail in an old computer. Power supply being the second.

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About Me

I am a self proclaimed geek who has authored, may technical training courses. As a speaker Jay has presented at many events including, user groups, Computer trade shows, DOD and federal conferences, ISPCON, TechEd, and WPC.
Jay is on the global board member of GITCA. Past President of ISACA-CT, Past president APCUG and is a Microsoft MVP Enterprise Security. Jay has been a MVP in in Windows, HPC, and Azure.